Prostitution and violence against women in Los Angeles

Prostitution and Violence Against Women in Los Angeles

THE INFERNAL SIDE of the CITY of ANGELS

Prostitution and Violence against Women: Los Angeles

Prostitution, as generally understood, is sexual relation between the prostitute and the client in exchange for a fee (Lauer & Lauer, 2008 p 38). Although the prostitute does not perform every sexual act, her -- or his -- services include standard sexual intercourse, oral stimulation of the client's genital and oral intercourse. A recent survey conducted with a small sample of street prostitutes in New Jersey found that a prostitute had an average of four clients a day or up to 15 a week. It revealed that the typical client was married, middle-age and a white male. The prostitute confronts physical, psychological and exploitation problems in the conduct of her trade. Physical problems include physical pain, inflicted by the customer; her husband, boyfriend or pimp; and the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV and AIDS. Psychological problems include a loss of human dignity and sexual fulfillment. And she must endure exploitation from the hands of those she has to deal with as a mere object of their trade (pp 40-41). The low quality of a prostitute's life is the product of social-structural and social-psychological factors. Society's rejection of non-marital sex and the suppression of open discussion of sex create the need for a prostitute. Her typical customer compensates for the poor sexual gratification he derives from his marriage. Or he gratifies sexual need in secrecy with her while maintaining external respectability (Lauer & Lauer pp 44-45).

History of Prostitution in the United States

Prostitution is believed to have been imported from Europe in the 1700s when soldiers were stationed in New York and Boston (ISU, 2005). Prostitution increased as a result of rapid urbanization, increase in male population, low female wages and discrimination against women. By 1810, it became a political and social problem. In that period, prostitutes were divided into three subcultures. The first consisted of women who wanted to make money for it and they comprised 5-10% of the total. The second consisted of those hired by "sporting male" groups. And the third were found in brothels. Hundreds of these were located in St. Louis, Philadelphia and Chicago (ISU).

Nationwide Statistics

It is difficult to provide an exact number of persons engaged in prostitution, but the National Task Force estimated that there could be more than a million or 1% of all American women (Bayswan, 2010). The figure was based on recorded arrests. Average arrests for prostitution are 70% for females and 20% for males. Most of those sent to jail are women of color at 85-90%. Other statistics revealed that 60% of them were subjected to violence by clients, 20% by the police and 20% by domestic partners (Bayswan).

Prostitution is Violence against Women

Experience or exposure to prostitution can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder, according to the American Psychiatric Association (Failey, 2004). The victim develops fear and powerlessness, which become more severe when the stress experience is planned and then implemented. Violent behaviors against women reflect and promote men's beliefs that they are entitled to sex with women and superior to them. Respondents to a recent study among college students who engaged the services of prostitutes admitted harboring the attitude and behavior in their coercive acts against the women (Failey).

The Legalization Option

National surveys showed that 94% of American citizens perceived the police as not promptly responding to calls for help (Bovard, 1998). One reason was their endless pursuit of prostitutes. Prostitution has remained illegal in most of the United States. The implementation of laws against it drains the country's law enforcement agencies and their resources. As a consequence, public health suffers through the spread of HIV, AIDS

and other sexually transmitted diseases. The legalization of prostitution is viewed as among the easiest means to curb the spread of these diseases and of improving law enforcement. Sexual frustration and availability of money will continue to drive some people to pay for sex. The issue is no longer the morality of prostitution but if its suppression will make society a safer place. The choice is between pursuing criminals and cracking down on prostitutes. Prostitution may be immoral, but the police need not waste time uselessly in suppressing it (Bovard).

Recommendations and Solutions

Human rights advocates must be concerned with the social invisibility of prostitution, persistent denials of the harms it brings, its normalization or legalization as a "necessary" social evil and the failure to educate students about the matters (Failey, 2004). It thrives largely on continued public, professional and academic indifference (Failey).

Other recommendations to contain prostitution and violence against women, particularly in Los Angeles, included a re-evaluation of California's reformed welfare policies to assess how well the needs of families are within the context of the prevention of prostitution and violence against women (California Department of Health Services, 2004). These needs would include housing, sufficient child support, personal safety and protection. Legislation, based on principles of the Convention of the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, should be promptly introduced and passed. Government policies, practices and programs should be examined to insure support for the prevention of prostitution and violence against women. The formal adoption and implementation of the principles of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women are basic to the fight against prostitution and other forms of violence against women. Legislation for its implementation would be essential in effectively examining, identifying and facilitating changes in policy. These changes would hold institutions accountable for reducing the level of these social ill and assuring safety and justice for women and girls (California Department of Health Services). #